United Planet Tanzania is a volunteer-powered and non-profit organization which registered under the NGOs Act of 2002 as a Tanzania-based NGO in 2009 with registration number 00NGO/00002914 and became a National Committee of ICYE, a federation-network with over 55 country members in Africa, Latin America, Pacific Asia and Europe; that provides challenging intercultural learning experiences to young people, enhancing their social and personal development through international volunteering program.

MEHAYO is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization established with the aim of helping mentally handicapped people in Morogoro.
Mental disability is still a big stigma in the Tanzanian communities, especially in the remote villages. Families still discriminate and often hide their disabled or mentally handicapped children from the rest of the village as it is considered shameful.
MEHAYO was founded to combat this prejudice by teaching some practical skills, such as pottery, gardening, painting, sowing or bracelet making, and by raising better awareness of mental disabilities among their parents and the local population.
The organization provides shelter for over 4o mentally handicapped people, ranging from 7 to 42 years of age; most of them live at the centre.
Volunteers can join a series of different activities scheduled daily:
• Helping with gardening, arts and crafts or pottery making;
• Teaching music, painting or sewing;
• Going to school with the children who attend primary school;
• Remaining at the facility to assist children who are unable to attend school;
• Helping the local staff in the farm, this is a short distance from the centre.
Working hours:
• Start time: 8:00 am
• Break time: flexible
• End time: 3:30 pm

Morogoro town, approximately 5 hours from Dar es Salaam. Morogoro is a mountainous area with a colder climate compared to Dar Es Salaam. It is quite small; however it has a very lively nightlife with plenty of bars and clubs. Mikumi National Park is just nearby and can be accessed in an hour.

This project is suitable to both skilled and unskilled volunteers who:
• Are at least 18 years of age at the time of arrival;
• Have a good knowledge of spoken and written English;
• Are adaptable and open minded;
• Have a desire to help others.
Having previous experience working with people with disabilities is an advantage, but not a requirement.

Dar es Salaam

Short-term volunteers will need to pay for their travel from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro by bus, and two nights at the lodge.

Duration : 4 weeks to 1 year
Fees:
4 weeks = 500 €
8 weeks = 800 €
12 weeks = 1100 €
Every additional week = 75 €
Fees include:
• Pick-up and drop off
• Orientation session
• City tour
• Lodging and meals (At the host family)
• Mentorship
• Welcoming & send-off dinner
• Evaluation camp
• Pocket money
• Local transport (Daladala from/to the project).
Card stock and art supplies are always greatly appreciated. Beads are also always in demand for jewellery making. Any other supplies for children are appreciated (books, toys, clothes and anything that can help children with disabilities).
Short-term volunteers will need to pay for their travel from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro by bus, and two nights at the lodge.